AMESBURY, Mass. - Freshman Cole Hutson of the Boston University men's ice hockey team has been named Hockey East Rookie of the Year, the league announced on Wednesday.

Hutson is the third straight Terrier to win the award, following Macklin Celebrini (2024) and Lane Hutson (2023), the two favorites for this year's Calder Trophy. Hutson is the 12th Terrier to be named Hockey East Rookie of the Year. Cole and Lane are the first two brothers to win the league's Rookie of the Year Award and BU is just the third school (Michigan, Michigan Tech) to produce a conference rookie of the year in three consecutive years. 

A native of Chicago, Hutson has been one of the nation's most dynamic players this season. He is tied for first among NCAA rookies, regardless of position, in both points (39) and assists (27). In addition, Hutson leads all rookie defensemen as well as all Hockey East blue liners, regardless of class, in goals (12), assists (27) and points (39); he is third among all NCAA defensemen in points and is second among all defensemen with 1.15 points per game.

Cole joined his brother Lane and Alexandre Legault as the only freshmen defensemen in program history to record at least 30 points in a single season. Cole and Lane are also the only two defensemen since at least 2005-06 to record 10+ goals and 25+ assists in their first 32 career games. 

Hutson has been particularly good in the second half of the season, having notched at least one point in 16 of his last 19 tilts. He has posted a pair of two-goal, two-assist games, most recently in the Beanpot opening round against Harvard. He then scored the game-winning goal in the Beanpot title game against No. 1 Boston College en route to being named Beanpot MVP. 

Not only has Hutson dazzled for BU, but he showcased his talents on the international stage as well when he helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 World Junior Championship, becoming the first defenseman in tournament history to lead World Juniors in scoring thanks to 11 points (3g, 8a), including the tying goal in the gold-medal game.